Synonyms for alternative
- noun
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Option
Other
Adjective
Definitions
- n. 1
A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.
I gave you the alternative; you decided to stay.
- adj. 1
Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.
an alternative proposition
Forms
- Plural
- alternatives → options, choices, possibilities, preferences…
Choose the right word
A choice, pick, election, or preference is that which suits one best; an alternative is that to which one is restricted; a resource, that to which one is glad to betake oneself.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- choice A pizza topped with mozzarella is my first choice.
- option I could not find the right menu option on the ATM.
- possibility We cannot rule out the possibility of an accident.
- fringe I cut my fringe myself, and now it's all jagged.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| alternative | steady | |
| choice | rising | |
| option | rising | |
| possibility | steady | |
| fringe | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- choice1, option2, fringe1
- 8 letters
- election3, fallback2
- 9 letters
- secondary4, alternate3
- 10 letters
- preference3
- 11 letters
- possibility5, contingency4, disjunctive
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (option2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- alternative
- Italiano
- alternativa
- Español
- alternativa
- Català
- alternativa